Gang Scores Small Victories At Mention

Lebogang Mosikare | Monday October 26, 2015 14:52

 

During their appearance, the gang demanded that the police handover the two cars impounded from them. Although they were not granted their wish to have their cars back, the seven currently out on P5,000 bail, scored another victory when they successfully applied to be reporting to the police once a month instead of every week.

The gang is accused of burning down the police cell and getting away with dagga after learning that their member, Wazha Nthoiwa had been caught with the cannabis.

The seven, Nthoiwa, Nchidzi Bakhobi, Terence Molefe, Tholego Mphapho, Galemong Latlhelang and two others, allegedly set fire to an exhibit room.  In the process they burnt dagga that was inside the room at Botswana Police Services Northern Division Headquarters between August 22 and 23, 2015.

The gang is also accused of acting jointly knowing that dagga may be used in proceedings against Nthoiwa, willfully removed it (dagga) from the exhibit room with the intention to prevent it from being used as evidence against him. Assistant superintendent Lapologang Moatshe told the court that investigations in the matters are still ongoing and they hope to have them completed soon.

On the other hand, the accused through their attorneys Kagiso Jani and Mboni Manyothwane, applied for the police to return two cars that were impounded.

The attorneys stated one of their clients is a taxi driver who depends on the car to earn a living while another is a businessman who travels a lot around the country and is currently suffering since the police took his car to use it as an exhibit.

Jani said that the cars should be kept in a safe and secure place to prevent them from being damaged by harsh weather conditions. However, Moatshe stated the police would release the cars to the accused once their investigations are complete.

He said that the investigations officer should be given time to complete work before such an application is countenanced.

Senior magistrate Thebeetsile Mulalu agreed that the accused should report once every month end at Central Police.

Mulalu set November 25, 2015 for next mention. between right and wrong”.